University's Education Students Hear From Public School Administrators

Texas A&M International University students enrolled
in an educational administration course recently learned
about the challenges of school administration from
A&M International alumni who are now first-year
administrators with Laredo and United Independent School
Districts.

A&M International alumni Elouisa Diaz, Vice Principal
of Lamar Middle School, and Elvira Gaona, Vice Principal
of United South High School, were guest speakers for
a graduate-level Practicum in School Administration
course taught by Dr. David Herrington, Assistant Professor
of Educational Administration.

Diaz received her certification in educational administration
at A&M International and Gaona completed coursework
in educational administration at the University.

Dr. Herrington asked both to discuss the daily challenges
they face in their new roles as educational leaders.
Because both Diaz and Gaona are first-year administrators,
he felt they could offer his students a unique viewpoint.

"This is a critical time in their professional
development, and it is at this time of personal and
professional growth that they have a tremendous amount
of insight to offer aspiring administrators who will
be following in their footsteps," he explained.

Diaz is in charge of all aspects of the seventh grade
program at Lamar Middle School and also supervises
the school's counseling department, office staff, and
curriculum development. She told the A&M students
that her 12 years of experience as a counselor at LISD
prepared her for her new role as a school administrator.

"Dealing with students and parents is something
that I have done for many years and I find that in
my new role, I face many of the same issues I faced
as a counselor, but from a different perspective,"
she stated.

Diaz recalled that the decision to leave the security
of her counseling job for the uncharted waters of an
administrative position was one which required much
soul-searching.

"In making the decision to become an administrator,
I asked myself 'Why would I want to go from a position
as counselor where most people love you to a position
as administrator where that is not necessarily the
case?' The answer for me is that there are days when
I feel that I do achieve my goals and that makes it
worthwhile," she explained.

She attributed her successful transition into an administrative
role at Lamar Middle School to the leadership style
of her principal, Blas Martinez.

"To be successful as a vice principal it is critical
to have a principal who delegates and who provides
the leeway, guidance, and support needed to get the
job done," she noted.

Gaona, Vice Principal at United South High School,
also praised her principal, Dalia Treviño, as
an excellent role model for aspiring administrators.

"She creates a school climate that empowers and
makes everyone part of the team," she said.

Gaona, who served as counselor at Clark Middle School
before becoming Vice Principal at United South High
School, is in charge of her school's curriculum and
counseling programs.

She said that the ability to manage time and "be
flexible enough to fill many roles throughout the
school day" is crucial to succeeding as a new
school administrator. She added that as a female professional,
balancing work and family responsibilities is a challenge.

Gaona advised students to apply for positions within
their respective school districts whenever positions
come available.

"The experience of interviewing with site-based
committees, principals, central office administrators
and superintendents is invaluable," she noted.

Both administrators agreed that the rewards of serving
as an administrator come from the personal satisfaction
of having done things well on a particular day.

"Not every day," said Gaona, "do things
go smoothly. There are many unexpected interruptions.
On some days it is difficult to remain focused on
specific projects because so many other issues come
up in rapid succession that must be addressed right
then."

In addition to learning from guest lectures, Dr. Herrington's
students gain firsthand knowledge of school administration
through an intern practicum that is part of the Practicum
in School Administration course. Student interns complete
a 45 semester-hour administrative practicum under the
joint supervision of Dr. Herrington and a LISD or UISD
principal. According to Dr. Herrington, the interning
experience greatly enhances classroom learning..

"Educational administration students are exposed
to a wide range of issues in administrative philosophy
and theory, but until they are able to interact with
practitioners, their conceptions of leadership and
administrative concerns remain very limited,"
he explained.

Principals who served as mentors to administrative
interns during the Fall semester included Mary Molina,
of United High School; Cecilia Moreno, Martin High
School; Dalia Treviño, United South High School;
Alicia Valdez, Salvador Garcia Middle School; and Nora
Woods, Amparo Gutierrez Elementary School.

For more information on A&M International's Educational
Administration courses, please contact Herrington at
326-2523 or the University's College of Education at
326-2420. University office hours are from 8 a.m.
- 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu